Canadian Women Who Speak About AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is always keeping us on the edge of our seats, with new capabilities and technologies permeating industry after industry. Canada is no exception as the home to many researchers, organizations, and industries embracing AI as the future.
Let’s talk about some incredible women making waves in the Canadian AI scene.
Emily Baillie
Emily is the CEO of Compass Content Marketing and an AI marketing trainer, speaker, and educator. Her background in communications led to her starting her own digital marketing company and teaching digital marketing courses at McMaster University and Humber College.
She has been a Chartered Marketer since 2018 and is an ambassador for Hootsuite. All this to say, she’s got the background to be talking about AI.
One point Emily often comes back to is the idea of human-first technology. In other words, she sees AI as a tool meant to enhance and supplement human talent, not replace us. It’s wonderful to know Emily is in the professional and academic world opening conversations around using AI as a tool for more effective work.
Find Emily on podcasts, in articles and webinars, and on LinkedIn!
Josephine Yam
Josephine is on the cutting edge of a deeply important area—AI law and ethics. As this tool continues to develop and revolutionize our lives, who is regulating it? What are the boundaries?
Lucky for us, Josephine is one of the people tackling these big questions. She has earned an MA in Philosophy from the University of Guelph and completed an Executive MBA Certificate Program for Leaders from Stanford. Since then, she has lent her expertise as legal counsel, CEO, AI policy expert and more.
Now, Josephine is the CEO and Co-Founder of Skills4Good AI Academy, an organization that educates professionals on the possibilities of AI. I especially love this message that Skills4Good shares:
“AI won’t replace humans. But humans with AI will replace humans without AI.”
Keep up with Josephine on LinkedIn!
Briana Brownell
Briana is a data scientist, tech entrepreneur and Founder and CEO of Pure Strategy Consulting Inc. Before her entrepreneurial journey began, Briana worked as a data scientist in market research and finance for ten years.
At Pure Strategy, Briana and her team create AI software and advise their clients on data science. Their services include AI Development and Integration, FutureTech Navigator, Ethical Tech Stewardship, Immersive Edventures, and Data-Crafted Strategy.
Beyond her work as CEO and Founder of Pure Strategy, Briana also frequently speaks and writes about AI technology, machine learning, and data science. In fact, she can be found in Time Magazine with two features:
A User's Guide to Generative AI
At Nearly 70, AI Comes of Age
Briana is a visionary and expert in the AI space, and I’m proud to say my digital marketing firm, Ethical Digital, is partnering with her on a little (or not-so-little) AI-driven technology. Stay tuned!
Paula MacDowell
Paula is an Assistant Professor in Educational Technology and Design (ETAD) at the University of Saskatchewan. She has a Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia, Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy.
Paula focuses her research on many areas, including immersive education, Extended Reality (XR) technologies, AI education, and AI literacy. Paula is shaping the future of AI and XR in education through research and academics.
Some of her exciting projects and endeavours include:
Progressing research and practical knowledge surrounding immersive learning for K-12, higher education, work-based and industry contexts.
Sitting on the Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN) board as Director of Immersive Practice.
Supervising graduate students
Completing and publishing research
Find her publications listed here!
Katrina German
Well, folks, I’m pleased to be a part of this space myself. I’m a social impact entrepreneur who leads impactful large-scale communications projects, so it just makes sense that AI has crossed my path a time or two (or a million).
In 2020, I founded Ethical Digital, a digital marketing firm whose goal is to change the trajectory of the Internet. In addition, myself and my team carry out research projects that relate to the Internet, well-being, inclusivity, and gender parity.
On top of leading Ethical Digital, I also have the opportunity to speak about cutting-edge technology, including AI. I get to deliver workshops for companies’ professional development, provide keynotes, speak on panels, and can be found on CTV Saskatoon sharing the latest insights into technology.
I firmly believe technology like AI should be utilized to supplement and improve human productivity, progress, and well-being.
Melissa Lloyd
Melissa is an artist and entrepreneur who has turned her passion into impactful businesses. She founded Doodle Breaks in 2020, offering doodle-centred workshops and tools to help busy professionals practice mindfulness and upgrade productivity.
Her second company, Aigility Hub, empowers businesses to adopt AI tools with ease, improving their ability to grow and succeed. Her interest in AI came from her decision to dive in head first and see where it could take her.
Now, she understands AI as a powerful tool to help streamline day-to-day tasks, essentially allowing you to do the work of two people while creating more free, flexible time for you.
Keep up with Melissa on LinkedIn.
Liz Cripps
Liz is the head of Solution Architecture at WACADS Group Inc., a company utilizing AI to help companies grow and scale. As a key person behind this technology, Liz helps companies reach remarkable goals.
Liz shares her insights and experiences with conferences and teams, speaking on topics like demystifying AI, responsible use, and more.
Connect with her on LinkedIn!
It is my pleasure to collaborate with and learn from this incredible group of Canadian women. AI’s capabilities are constantly growing, and with these women at the forefront, I believe AI can really be a tool for good.